Special Investigation
Chris Smith MP Interviewed at Eversley
by Meera (10), Shilpa (10), Chandni (10) and Tarana (10)

Q: You went to school in Edinburgh, are you Scottish? A: No, I was born in Barnet and I spent the first 10 years of my life in Watford, moved to Edinburgh. The weather was cold and wet but the scenery was beautiful. I also learnt to climb mountains there which is something that I have continued doing ever since, but I would never go back there because I love London so much. Q: What was your favourite subject at school? A: I enjoyed English because I enjoyed reading and poetry. Q: What was your worst subject? A: My worst subject was art because I cannot draw, I am hopeless even though I love looking at it. Q: Did you use a computer at school? A: No, I never used a computer at school. We did not have them when I went to school, you have to remember it was 35 - 40 years ago. You are very lucky to have access to them. Q: When did you start to use a computer? A: Probably I started to use a computer about 10 years ago. I found that it made my work faster and would make life easier. Q: Have you got a favourite website? A: I like my own department's web site which is www.culture.gov.uk One of the wonderful things about the Internet is that there are so many things to discover. Q: What do you think of our website? A: I haven't seen Eversley's web site yet, but the people who work for me have. They thought it was very good they were very impressed.. Q: Which would you prefer to be Prime Minister or Mayor of London? A: I suppose everyone one day wants to be prime minister but the job is done extremely well by a man called Tony Blair.I like my own job (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) but if I had to chose I would prefer to be Prime Minister Q: If you weren't an MP what job would you do? A: I used to think that I would be a National Park Warden because I like walking in the beautiful countryside. Q: When did you become an MP? A: I became an MP in 1983, sixteen and a half years ago. (he is Member of Parliament for Islington South Finsbury) Q: What is the John Muir Trust? (Chris Smith is trustee of the John Muir Trust) A: It is an organisation to protect the great wild open spaces. It was set up about ten years ago in memory of John Muir. He was Scottish but went to America. He became the father of the conservation movement in America. He was the first person to persuade people to think of the land and conservation. Q: You are a member of the Christian Socialist Movement, are you religious person? A: I am a religious person but I don't go to church every week. I am a member of the Church of Scotland Q: Do you play a musical instrument? A: I used to play the piano when I was younger and I got to grade 6. I gave up practicing but I wish I had carried on. Q: What kind of music do you like? A: I like all kinds of music but my favourite is classical. My favourite composer is Schubert, his music makes me go soft inside.But remember I was a teenager in the 60's so I like all 60's and 70's pop music like the Beatles. Q: Which section of your work (Culture, Media and Sport) do you prefer ? A: I like all parts of my work, because it is so varied. It ranges from the future of the music industry, to the future of football or the introduction of digital television. Q: Are you married and if so, how many children do you have? A: I am not married and don't have children. I would find it hard to be so busy and also spend time with a family. I admire people like Tony Blair who manage to combine having a family with a difficult job. Q: What item would you choose to put in our time capsule and why? A: I would put a football signed by all the Arsenal players into the capsule.